Man Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Assaulting 6-Month-Old Baby

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced Victor Dickson to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting his neighbour’s six-month-old daughter.

Justice Oshodi jailed Dickson for the rest of his life after concluding that the state government had convincingly proved the charge of sexual assault by penetration against him.

The judge stated in his judgment that the circumstantial evidence was compelling and strongly indicated the defendant’s guilt, with all efforts to deny the crime being unsuccessful.

The state had told the judge that the convict committed the offence on October 17, 2021, around 10:40 a.m. at No. 72 Iba Road, Ibeji Lekki, Lagos.

The prosecution had accused the convict of sexually assaulting the infant by inserting his finger into her vagina, thereby violating Section 261 of the Lagos State criminal laws, 2015.

The State Counsel, Ms Inumidun Solarin, called three witnesses: the survivor’s mother, father, and Police Investigative Officer (IPO), ASP Folashade Akinbowa.

The convict was the only defence witness.

In his judgment, Justice Oshodi observed that the convict was not truthful, as his court testimony significantly differed from his extrajudicial statement.

The judge held, “In your extrajudicial statement, you admitted to carrying the child but denied penetrating her vagina.

Yet, on the witness stand, you claimed you never carried her and accused the child’s mother of revenge because you rejected her sexual advances,” he stated.

The judge also noted that the convict showed no remorse and fabricated accusations, claiming the mother tried to frame him.

He pointed out that the victim, a six-month-old infant, is highly vulnerable, and the mother testified that he carried her naked child from the potty, into his room, and violated her.

“You betrayed the trust the mother had in you, picking up her naked baby from the potty, taking her into your room, closing the door, and assaulting her. She cried all through, unable to speak or call for help,” he stated.

Justice Oshodi emphasised the need to protect society and deter such heinous acts, especially against such defenceless victims.

“I sentence you, Victor Dickson, to life in prison. You will serve your sentence at a maximum security facility, and be registered as a sexual offender under Sections 33 and 38 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, 2021,” the judge held.